Peri Gilpin Net Worth: Career, Life, and Achievements

Peri Kay Oldham was born on May 27, 1961, in Waco, Texas, to Baylor University students Jim O’Brien (born James Oldham) and Sandra Jo Hauck. After the birth of her sister, Patti Jo, in 1965, her parents divorced, and Sandra moved with her two daughters to Houston. In 1968, Sandra married her childhood friend Wes Gilpin, and Peri and her sister took his surname. In 1969, the Gilpins moved to Dallas, where Peri grew up.

Peri’s biological father became a popular Philadelphia newscaster and weather anchor at WPVI-TV under the stage name Jim O’Brien. Tragically, in 1983, her father died in a skydiving accident while attempting to save the life of another skydiver. In 1997, Gilpin’s mother died of leiomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer. This personal loss motivated Peri to lead efforts supporting cancer research awareness and fundraising.

As a child in Dallas, Gilpin took drama classes at Dallas Children’s Theater, where her family encouraged her acting abilities. In 1979, upon graduating from Skyline High School, Gilpin enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin, majoring in drama, until she was expelled from the acting program at the end of her sophomore year. After that setback, she took acting classes in London at the British American Drama Academy, then returned to Dallas and worked briefly as a makeup artist and radio show sound engineer.

She apprenticed for five summers at Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts. During her last summer there, she was cast as the lead in Hawthorne Country, her first major starring role. She joined the Actors Equity in 1988, marking her official entry into professional acting.

Quick Bio: Peri Gilpin Overview

Building a Television Career

Peri Gilpin began her professional acting career in the late 1980s with guest appearances in television series. Her first television role came in 1988 in the series “21 Jump Street” and “Almost Grown.” She continued with one-time appearances on popular sitcoms including “Designing Women” (1986), “Wings” (1990), and “Matlock” (1990).

In April 1993, Gilpin appeared on the TV series “Cheers,” playing Holly Matheson in the 21st episode of the 11th season. This appearance occurred shortly before she would land her career-defining role. Interestingly, while working on “Wings,” she collaborated with a producer named Roz Doyle, who would later become the namesake of her most famous character.

From 1993 until 2004, Gilpin played Roz Doyle in the television series “Frasier,” a spin-off of “Cheers” starring Kelsey Grammer as Frasier Crane. She was given the role after being one of over 300 actresses to answer the casting call. Gilpin’s fellow finalist for the role was Lisa Kudrow, who would go on to star in “Friends.”

As Roz Doyle, the witty and straight-talking radio producer for Frasier’s call-in psychiatry show, Gilpin became an integral part of one of television’s most successful sitcoms. The character’s quick wit, sexual confidence, and loyalty to Frasier made Roz a fan favorite. Along with the principal cast, Gilpin won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in 1999.

Heading into season 10 in 2002, Peri negotiated a new contract that paid her $500,000 per episode for the final two seasons. This was a significant increase from the estimated $150,000 she had been earning per episode for the previous several seasons. Between seasons 6 and 9, she earned $150,000 per episode across 96 episodes, which worked out to $14.4 million before taxes. Over the final two season’s 48 episodes, she earned $24 million.

Remarkably, Gilpin was the only one of the five main cast members of “Frasier” never to be nominated for an Emmy, despite the show’s tremendous success and critical acclaim.

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Peri Gilpin Net Worth: Financial Overview and Income Sources

As of 2024, Peri Gilpin net worth is estimated at approximately $25 million, making her one of the wealthier actors from the “Frasier” cast. This substantial wealth reflects not only her eleven-year run on one of television’s most successful sitcoms but also her diverse career in voice acting, film, and producing.

Primary sources contributing to her financial success include:

Frasier Earnings: The bulk of Gilpin’s wealth comes from her role as Roz Doyle. Her salary escalated dramatically over the show’s eleven seasons, culminating in $500,000 per episode for the final two seasons. Combined with residuals from syndication and streaming rights, “Frasier” remains her most lucrative professional endeavor.

Voice Acting Work: Gilpin has established a successful career as a voice artist. She voiced Jane Proudfoot in “Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within” (2001), Desiree in the Nickelodeon animated television series “Danny Phantom,” Volcana in “Superman: The Animated Series” and “Justice League,” Hecate in “Hercules: The Animated Series,” and Kate Corrigan in the “Hellboy” animated films. She also did extensive voice work for Wells Fargo and Johnsonville Meats TV commercials, which provided substantial additional income.

Post-Frasier Television Work: Following “Frasier’s” conclusion in 2004, Gilpin continued working steadily in television. She appeared in “Medium” (2007), “Desperate Housewives” (2007), “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” (2012), “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” and had a recurring role in “Men at Work” on TBS. In 2009, she joined the cast of “Make It or Break It” as Kim Keeler, for which she received a Gracie Award in the category of “Outstanding Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Drama Series.” In the show’s second season of “Scorpion,” she played Katherine Cooper, a team superior in Homeland Security.

Film Appearances: While television has been her primary medium, Gilpin has appeared in several films including “Spring Forward,” “How to Kill Your Neighbor’s Dog,” “Fathers and Daughters,” “The Outcasts” (2017), and “We Broke Up” (2021).

Production Company: Gilpin and “Frasier” co-star Jane Leeves co-founded Bristol Cities (named from the cockney rhyming slang), a production company. Their projects included a Fox network pilot titled “Minister of Divine,” an American remake of the British sitcom “The Vicar of Dibley” with Kirstie Alley in a starring role.

Frasier Reboot: In 2023, Gilpin reprised her role as Roz Doyle in Paramount+’s “Frasier” reboot, appearing as a recurring character. This new iteration provides both additional income and renewed visibility.

Real Estate Investments: According to multiple sources, Gilpin and her husband have built a substantial real estate portfolio, including buying and selling properties in California, with notable transactions in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Malibu. These investments have contributed meaningfully to her overall net worth.

Brand Endorsements: Her distinctive voice and recognizable face have led to endorsement deals with brands like Wells Fargo and Johnsonville Meats, supplementing her income through commercial work.

Voice Acting and Animation Excellence

Beyond her on-screen roles, Peri Gilpin has built an impressive career in voice acting, demonstrating remarkable versatility and range. Her distinctive voice has brought numerous animated and commercial characters to life across multiple platforms.

Gilpin provided the voice for Megara in the animated series “Hercules” from 1998 to 1999, taking over the character originated by Susan Egan in the Disney film. She voiced Jane Proudfoot in “Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within” (2001), a groundbreaking computer-animated science fiction film. Her work in “Danny Phantom” as the ghostly Desiree showcased her ability to portray complex animated characters.

In the DC animated universe, Gilpin voiced Volcana in “Superman: The Animated Series” and “Justice League,” creating a memorable fire-controlling villain. She also provided the voice for Kate Corrigan in multiple “Hellboy” animated films, bringing depth to the paranormal researcher character.

Her commercial voice work for Wells Fargo and Johnsonville Meats proved particularly lucrative, as national advertising campaigns typically provide substantial compensation and residuals. These commercial voiceovers allowed Gilpin to maintain steady income between television roles and demonstrated the marketability of her voice beyond character acting.

Personal Life and Marriage to Christian Vincent

On July 31, 1999, Gilpin married Christian Vincent, a realist painter whose work has been exhibited in different museums across the United States. Vincent’s artwork is featured on the C24 Gallery’s website, where he is recognized for his contributions to contemporary realism painting.

After several years of attempting to conceive, including unsuccessful IVF treatments, Peri and Christian turned to surrogacy. On May 7, 2004—just two days before the “Frasier” series finale aired—they welcomed twin daughters, Stella May Oldham Vincent and Ava Oldham Vincent, born via surrogate mother.

In a 2024 interview with People magazine, Gilpin recalled: “I had twins on the Friday before Frasier ended, on the next Thursday. And it was literally…my life just went a complete change.” She described holding her daughters for the first time as “the best, best, best in the world, world, world.”

Her “Frasier” co-star Jane Leeves commented on Peri’s approach to motherhood: “[Peri] approaches motherhood with great passion, the same way she approaches everything in her life. She will be a fantastic mother.” The two actresses have maintained their close friendship, live near each other, and serve as godmothers to each other’s children. Peri is godmother to Jane’s daughter Isabella Kathryn Coben, and Jane is godmother to Peri’s daughter Stella.

As of 2024, Gilpin’s twin daughters Ava and Stella are 19 years old. In an interview at the Frasier FYC event in Los Angeles, Gilpin shared a proud moment: “One of my kids was home for Spring Break and she brought four girls home with her, and they were sitting on the couch watching Frasier. And I couldn’t believe it. Proud mom.”

Gilpin has successfully balanced her acting career with motherhood, taking on projects that allowed her to maintain presence in her daughters’ lives while continuing to work professionally.

Family Tragedy and Cancer Advocacy

Peri Gilpin has experienced profound loss due to cancer within her family. Her mother, Sandra Jo, died from leiomyosarcoma in 1997. This rare and aggressive form of cancer motivated Gilpin to become an outspoken advocate for cancer research and awareness.

Her sister Patti Jo was diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma in 2009 but managed to recover. However, on April 30, 2020, Patti died after a long battle with cancer. On July 29, 2023, Gilpin’s brother Marc Gilpin—also a child actor who appeared in “Jaws 2” as a child—died from complications related to a glioblastoma brain tumor at the age of 56.

Having lost both parents and both siblings to cancer, Gilpin has channeled her grief into advocacy work. She has collaborated with numerous organizations focused on cancer research, including the Sarcoma Foundation of America. Her efforts have included fundraising events, public awareness campaigns, and using her celebrity platform to highlight the need for increased research funding, particularly for rare cancers like leiomyosarcoma.

This personal experience with loss has shaped Gilpin’s perspective on life and influenced her philanthropic priorities throughout her career.

Social Media Presence and Digital Engagement

Peri Gilpin maintains an active social media presence, using these platforms to connect with fans, share personal moments, and advocate for causes she supports.

Official Social Media Accounts:

• Instagram: @peri.gilpin — 58,000+ followers, shares family moments, Frasier memories, behind-the-scenes content, and advocacy for causes including Giffords gun violence prevention organization
• Twitter/X: @GilpinPeri — 37,600+ followers, posts about political issues, social justice, cancer awareness, and engages with fans about “Frasier”
• Facebook: Active presence with approximately 1,500+ followers, shares updates on projects and personal life

Gilpin’s social media bio on Instagram identifies her as “Mother, Wife, Actress, Worrier” and includes a link to Giffords.org, reflecting her commitment to gun violence prevention advocacy. Her posts frequently address political and social issues, demonstrating her willingness to use her platform for causes she believes in.

Her Twitter activity includes advocacy for voting rights, healthcare access, and cancer research funding. She has been particularly vocal about calling elected officials to support progressive legislation, often sharing contact information for senators and encouraging civic engagement.

Unlike some celebrities who maintain strictly professional social media presences, Gilpin shares glimpses of her personal life, including time with her husband Christian and references to her daughters. However, she maintains appropriate boundaries, protecting her family’s privacy while allowing fans to connect with her authentic self.

FAQs About Peri Gilpin

Who is Peri Gilpin? 

Peri Gilpin is an American actress best known for portraying Roz Doyle, the radio producer on the NBC sitcom “Frasier,” which ran from 1993 to 2004. She has also appeared in “Make It or Break It” and numerous voice acting roles.

What is Peri Gilpin net worth? 

As of 2024, Peri Gilpin net worth is estimated at approximately $25 million, accumulated through her eleven seasons on “Frasier,” voice acting work, television appearances, and real estate investments.

Is Betty Gilpin related to Peri Gilpin? 

No, Betty Gilpin and Peri Gilpin are not related. Despite sharing the same surname and both being actresses, they come from completely different families with no familial connection. The similarity in names is purely coincidental.

Who is Peri Gilpin married to? 

Peri Gilpin has been married to Christian Vincent, a realist painter, since July 31, 1999. They have been together for over two decades.

Does Peri Gilpin have children? 

Yes, Peri Gilpin has twin daughters, Stella May Oldham Vincent and Ava Oldham Vincent, who were born via surrogate mother on May 7, 2004. As of 2024, they are 19 years old.